Description: The Russian Air Force Tu-214R is a sophisticated reconnaissance aircraft derived from the Tu-214 airliner. The Tu-214R was developed under Project 141 as a replacement for the Il-20M electronic intelligence (ELINT) aircraft. The aircraft is equipped with the MRC-411 Fraktsiya multi-mission payload that comprises a state-of-the-art sensor array including electro-optical sensors and synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The sensor package is well suited for ELINT, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and Communications Intelligence (COMMINT) detecting targets hundred of kilometers away. The Tu-214R is designed to intercept radar, electronic communications and cell phone messages thus creating an electronic picture of the battlefield in real time. The Tu-214R electronic reconnaissance aircraft performed its maiden flight in 2014 or 2015. Some prototypes were deployed near Japan in 2012. The operational Tu-214R airplanes were first deployed to Syria in late 2015 and 2016.